Album Review: LOVE + POP by Current Joys
LOVE + POP
Current Joys
Danger Collective Records
GRADE: B-
Current Joys is a popular alternative/indie band commonly associated with their melancholic tunes. With previous hits such as “Blondie”, “New Flesh” and “Kids”, Current Joys has made a name for themselves by musically capturing the pain of the human experience. Listening to their music sounds like how it feels to be intertwined in the emotional ups and downs of life, and fans have always admired the creative touches that help create this musical environment. Yet in more recent times, Current Joys seem to have been experimenting with entirely new sounds, as their newest album “LOVE + POP” brings a series of tracks that are unlike anything I’ve heard from them before.
Commencing with “walk away as the door slams” and “LOVE + POP”, the first two tracks aren’t too out of the ordinary. However, from there, things take a turn from the band’s conventional sound. “Gatsby” opens with a Current Joys staple – a dark, slightly gloomy and repetitive guitar riff riddled with reverb. Yet moments into a track that seemingly resembles “Blondie”, all of a sudden Lil Yachty appears? Staying on the track of shock factor, “CIGARETTES”, “Rock n Roll Dreams” and “Dr Satan” may catch you off guard with their incorporation of death metal-like screams. Not feeling confused yet? Maybe tracks such as “3lephant” featuring EDM sections will finally push you over the edge. What’s interesting about this album is that it’s not necessarily unenjoyable, it’s just so wildly out of character for a band like Current Joys that you can’t help but feel caught off guard.
— Maddy McClelland
